Case report of a complete denture wearer in whom masticatory function improved by correcting horizontal maxillomandibular relationship

Abstract

PATIENT: A 68-year-old edentulous female patient with a chief complaint of mandibular residual mucous membrane pain during mastication was presented. Further investigation indicated ill-fitting mandibular dentures and masticatory dysfunction due to a dysfunctional horizontal maxillomandibular relationship. New complete dentures were fabricated that corrected the horizontal maxillomandibular relationship by Gothic arch tracing and selected an occlusal scheme for lingualized occlusion. DISCUSSION: Gothic arch tracing could establish adequate horizontal maxillomandibular relationship for this patient because the denture occlusal position shifted on the left side. Moreover, lateral forces in the dentures were decreased by lingualized occlusion. As a result, deviation of the complete denture set was decreased and the prognosis was favorable. CONCLUSION: The mandibular residual mucous membrane pain that was the chief complaint disappeared, masticatory function recovered, and the patient was satisfied with her new complete dentures.